News Releases

The Adopt-the-Shoreline organization at the Lake of the Ozarks is reminding area residents, businesses and community organizations that the 2013 Fall Shoreline Cleanup began Sept. 7 and will continue through Oct. 31.

Bryan Vance, coordinator of Adopt-the-Shoreline, is encouraging all member groups to participate. In addition to Adopt-the-Shoreline members, volunteers are encouraged to come out and help make the event a success.

“This past spring’s cleanup was really impacted by bad weather conditions, and we have had a lot of high water this summer. These conditions have resulted in a lot of trash along the Lake’s shoreline,” Vance said. “In order to overcome these events, we need to have a really successful fall cleanup. This will help with next spring’s shoreline cleanup – ensuring that volunteers have a manageable amount of trash to remove.”

Lake residents are reminded that Adopt-the-Shoreline only removes man-made debris. Vance said there has been an extremely large volume of woody debris that has washed into the Lake and noted that volunteers will not remove that type of debris.

Here are suggestions for dealing with woody debris:

• Larger trees and limbs may be used as fish habitat provided they are properly anchored and don’t become a hazard to navigation.

• Stack and place above the normal high-water line. Once the debris has dried, the material may be burned with the issuance of a permit from a local fire district. It is important to keep the ash from the fire from re-entering the Lake due to the high nutrients that it contains.

Adopt-the-Shoreline is sponsored by Ameren Missouri, which provides administrative support, trash bags and disposal of debris. The cleanups are performed entirely by volunteers. For more information or to volunteer, contact a zone coordinator to locate the zone you would like to work.

ADOPT-THE-SHORELINE ZONE COORDINATORS

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers 63 counties and more than 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.

CONTACT: Missouri Communications, 314.554.2182, missouricommunications@ameren.com